Dear Fellowship:
First: I am so grateful for all the work by Ginny, Joyce, and Bobbi to make meeting rooms in this Fellowship so hospitable. I genuinely enjoy relaxing into meetings there and feel I can focus on our relationships and work. The couches in room 7 are comfortable and the plants bring vitality. The tablecloth in room 3 brings softness and the UU banners show heritage. And this week the library carpet was cleaned!
Why does this matter? Because when a community cares for its spaces, it is showing care for the people in it. Hospitality and welcome are spiritual practices that often involve unseen work. And this is just one example. All over the Fellowship, people quietly, and sometimes alone, do work that makes a nicer space for all of us. Although I have named three people specifically in this note, there are so many more! Hurray.
Second: On Sunday I plan to read a poem by a poet named Robert Monson. I think some of you might like to learn more about his perspectives, so I am including a link to an article here: https://sojo.net/articles/interview/reconstruct/theologian-robert-monson-wants-softer-social-justice.
The article discusses “masculinity and softness, Blackness and disability, crying, and why you should love yourself.” I have a hunch that taps into things that some of you have on your minds and hearts! If you read it and have insights that you want to share with me, I would love to hear. I can be reached at rev.alex.mcgee@uucorvallis.org.
Peace,
Rev. Alex